An Analysis of the Mu'tazilites' Citation of Unpopular [Shazz] Recitations [Qira’at]

One of the sciences that is rooted in the revelation of the Qur'an is the science of recitations [qira’at]. There are different approaches in this field among Islamic scholars. The discussion of recitations [qira’at] has been studied and researched by researchers since ancient times. Numerous definitions of authentic and unpopular [shazz] recitations [qira’at] have been put forward by scholars and different criteria have been stated in this regard. The followers of the Mu'tazilites - one of the most important schools of thought in the Islamic world and with a strong emphasis on rationalism - have in some cases used unpopular [shazz] recitations [qira’at] to justify their views, which is the subject of this article. The special position of the Qur'an and its original recitation [qira’t] and the necessity of using authentic recitations [qira’at] in the interpretation of the Quran require the necessity of a precise scientific analysis based on the unpopular [shazz] recitations [qira’at]. Thus, the current article endeavors to analyze the Mu'tazila view of unpopular [shazz] recitations [qira’at] using a descriptive-analytical method with a critical approach and using desk research/ library sources. The findings of the research indicate that the Mu'tazilites in some cases have justified the verses that are inconsistent with their intellectual principles and if there is no way to justify them, they have relied on unpopular [shazz] recitations [qira’at]; it should be mentioned that they did not have a single criterion in this regard. In this article, instances of the Mu'tazilites' theological, jurisprudential and interpretive application of unpopular [shazz] recitations [qira’at] have been examined.